It is not surprising that we often refer to a dog as ‘man’s best friend’, since our furry friends are very human-like in some ways, and are very much creatures of habit. In fact, they are a lot like babies and thrive best on routine. Having a routine in place will help your dog to feel happy and secure because it knows what is going to happen next. Like babies and toddlers, it is important to introduce changes to the dog’s routine gradually, while maintaining the basic consistency of habits, so as not to overwhelm them.

Why Your Dog Loves a Routine

Your dog needs consistency in its life. It needs to know when it is scheduled to eat next, to be walked and to have play time, and rest time, and these times need to be consistent and regular, so that the dog does not feel stressed or anxious. Having a regular routine helps the dog to feel secure, so it is able to relax.

Adding extra activities and outings are welcomed by the dog as long as the regular routine remains the same. At Durack Pet Motel we ensure that consistency is maintained with your dog’s routine, because we understand the importance of maintaining the routine in a dog’s life.

How to Implement a Routine

Routine is all about consistency. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using the popular new concept of the ‘crate training’ method, which can be used on both puppies and older dogs. It can help the dog by providing a ‘safe’ space for it to retreat to if it starts to feel overwhelmed. The crate training will assist with other aspects of training the dog into its routine, including where it eats its food, when it is play time, when it is time to rest, and where its boundaries are within the household.

Crate training is also a great way of ensuring that your dog is kept safe from mischief during those early explorative years, so while your back is turned it can be enjoying some crate time. The idea is to make the crate a place where the dog has pleasant associations, so each time it goes near the crate or inside, reward it until it becomes a place where it feels comfortable to go for some time out. And of course, another important advantage of training your dog to feel comfortable using a crate is in the event that if you need to take your dog to the vet, on a plane ride, or if it goes on a holiday somewhere, such as the Durack Pet Motel, it will feel more relaxed.